A lively presentation by writer, illustrator and publisher Daniel Jude Miller on Monday inspired kids at George L. Cooke Elementary School to read more, write more, draw more.

“It was really interesting,” said fifth grader Veronica Beach. “Maybe I'll write some stories in the future.”

During the visit at the Monticello school, Miller made writing and illustrating sound doable and fun, even though he has worked hard to pen children's picture books such as “Monsters in Manhattan.”

That colorful edition places weird characters in some of New York City's educational hot spots: art museums, the Museum of Natural History and the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Miller's presentation, a kick off for Family Reading Night at the school on March 20, was held in the school's large multi-purpose room and was funded through the efforts of Jane Sorensen of EPIC (Every Person Influences Children).

Miller recounted his own journey toward becoming an author/illustrator and shared tips. “Be monstrous,” he said, urging kids to think big and to start something small that just might become huge.

“Always ‘level up,'” he said, underlining the importance of constantly challenging yourself, step by step.

“If you like to draw, practice, practice, practice,” he said.

Miller grew up in Queens and now lives in Binghamton. No matter, he writes and illustrates anywhere, he said.

“I use a sharpie,” he said, referring to the slim-nibbed permanent marker.

Employing a large screen, the artist/writer highlighted his own growth as a child by sharing his earliest drawings of helicopters, knights and skeletons. Eventually, he attended New York City's School of Visual Arts and worked as a commercial illustrator. But after time, he began to concentrate his creativity on his own works.

Now, he continues to turn out new picture books and to present to schoolchildren about 40 times a year.

“When I'm on stage is the only time I'm not stressed,” Miller said later. “It's the calmest I get.”

He appreciates the student energy and interest. “A lot of authors don't meet their audience. It's super fun for me to speak to mine,” he said.

And the fun goes both ways.

“The presentation was good,” said fourth grader Yousef Elsayed. “I liked the plots of his books.”

Classmate Deondre Dillon loved hearing about monsters.

Then there's Bella Celinko, who said she will keep on writing.

“I'm writing a book about a poison pizza that sneezes on everybody,” the fifth grader said. “It's called Superhero Pizza.”

Sounds like a hot topic.